Western red cedar goes low maintenance

N/[OST dealers and distributors

IVIknow that displaying an intimate awareness of available decking materials and their performance is essential when establishing an ongoing relationship with customers-and one that pays future dividends with additional projects and referrals. With an overwhelming number of available materials, however, it can be tough to decipher fact from fiction when it comes to product features and performance.

For example, many new composite materials tout themselves as a significant improvement over traditional decking materials like western red cedar. Are these new plastic and composite decking products really better than all-natural materials with centuries of proven performance?

Below are some key things to remember when helping customers decide which materials are ideal for them:

Minimal maintenance

One of the biggest misconceptions about these new decking products is regarding the necessary amount of maintenance. Consumers may believe that once installed, their new plastic or composite deck need never be touched again. Yet "maintenance free" or "no maintenance" decking claims are simply not true. Regardless of the material, a// decks require some annual maintenance to remain looking their best.

In fact, many composite decking manufacturers provide thorough maintenance instructions to help care for their various products. Whatever the product claim, mildew forms on decking surfaces of all types and should be removed from a deck soon after it appears.

If all decking materials require some maintenance. is an all-natural and beautiful cedar deck really that difficult to maintain?

Tom Read from Tacoma, Wa., is a long-time western red cedar deck owner who provides an excellent example of how easy an annual maintenance program can truly be. "All my cedar deck requires is a little cleaning and minor touch-ups to the finish annually-and I've been more than happy with the results," he said. "Investing just a small amount of time can make all the difference in how your deck will look and perform."

Read also suggests that good maintenance practices include allowing proper water drainage; keeping the surface free of dirt, leaves and other debris, and moving planters, benches and other deck accessories from time to time to permit the deck beneath them to dry thoroughly. For example, his deck is elevated off the ground and includes ample decking board gaps to allow for sufficient water drainage-critical as the deck is located in the moist environs of Washington state.

"The good looks and durability of western red cedar appealed to me initially," added Read. "And looking back now, its beauty is still evident everyday-and maintenance really hasn't been a burden."

To reduce maintenance even further. recent advancements in cedar manufacturing allow western red cedar decking to be offered pre-finished on all sides. This finishins tech- nology is important as it ensures the highest level of quality-finished products. greatly increasing consistent coating, longevity and overall resistance to moisture. This allows you to choose the preferred finishing color and simply install.

Lasting beauty

While composite and cedar decking will both require some annual maintenance, the similarities with materials end there. Despite composite and plastic decking manufacturer's best efforts, no man-made decking product is able to capture the all-natural warmth and beauty of a real cedar deck.

Yet there are several other, less obvious reasons why western red cedar remains a favorite decking material as well.

First, the color of all decking materials will gradually fade when given long-term exposure to the sun's UV rays. With plastic or composite decking, this color fade is irreversible. Deck owners must live with color differences that appear over time between sun-exposed and shaded

..the f inished producl (below)still looking great 10 years laler areas of their original deck. Fortunately, there is no such downside if building a deck from western red cedar. Unlike plastic or composites. real cedar decks can be restored and refinished, providing a decking surface that looks virtually new.

Cedar is resilient and does not transfer heat, which means you can kick off your shoes and enjoy your deck with friends and family long into the night, even during the hottest summer months. The same can't be said for plastic based products.

In addition, the surfaces of a cedar deck can be touched up with sandpaper and stain to remove the inevitable "dings," scratches and stains of a well-used deck. Such emergency repairs are bound to be necessary over the life of your deck, but with most plastic or composite materials, they're often not possible... so much for claims of "low" or ''no" maintenance.

Environmentally responsible

Many composite decking products are produced from recycled plastic products. Using ingredients derived from petroleum-based products, these plastics require a significant amount of non-renewable energy to produce. And at the end of its life cycle, a plastic-based product can sit in landfills for years without breaking down.

America grows 307o more wood each year than it harvests and has more forestland today than 100 years ago. Wood like western red cedar is entirely biodegradable and renewable-at the end of its life cycle, cedar can be absorbed by the earth without negative impact. Using more cedar treesboth as a substitute for non-renewable fossil fuels and materials such as steel, concrete and plasticencourages forests to expand thus increasing the carbon sink effect and reducing the CO2 in the atmosphere.

Knowing the issues and discussing the correct information is paramount to establishing a strong relationship with your customers. Western red cedar is the natural choice for a beautiful, low maintenance and environmentally-sound deck.

- For more information, call the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association at (866) 788-9096 or visit www.realcedar.orp.